Method and apparatus for reducing uplink transmissions

Abstract

Various methods are provided for reducing uplink transmissions. One example method may comprise causing operation of use equipment in a uplink synchronized state, wherein updates are received periodically in a on duration period, on duration periods are related to discontinuous reception (DRX) short cycle timer, receiving instruction to disable uplink transmission during one or more on duration periods related to short cycle timer of DRX, and causing disablement of uplink transmission in accordance with instruction.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method comprising:
 causing operation of user equipment in a uplink synchronized state,   wherein updates are received periodically in a on duration period, on duration periods being related to a discontinuous reception (DRX) short cycle timer;   receiving an instruction to disable uplink transmission during one or more on duration periods related to the short cycle timer of DRX; and   causing disablement of uplink transmission in accordance with the instruction.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the instruction comprises a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to configure a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) wherein Uplink (UL) is enabled or disabled. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the instruction comprises a Medium Access Control (MAC) command comprising information related to an allowance or disallowance of UL communication disablement or reduction. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the instruction comprises a trigger command comprising information related to an allowance or disallowance of UL communication disablement or reduction. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the instruction comprises causing enabling or disabling of UL communication in a time limited manner. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein a timer value is configured. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22  wherein a timer value or time period is fixed and defined. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
 cause operation in a uplink synchronized state,   wherein updates are received periodically in a on duration period, on duration periods are related to discontinuous reception (DRX) short cycle timer;   receive instruction to disable uplink transmission during one or more on duration periods related to short cycle timer of DRX; and   cause disablement of uplink transmission in accordance with instruction.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the instruction comprises a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to configure a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) wherein Uplink (UL) is enabled or disabled. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the instruction comprises a Medium Access Control (MAC) command comprising information related to an allowance or disallowance of UL communication disablement or reduction. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the instruction comprises a trigger command comprising information related to an allowance or disallowance of UL communication disablement or reduction. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the instruction comprises causing enabling or disabling of UL communication in a time limited manner. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein a timer value is configured. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein a timer value or time period is fixed and defined. 
     
     
         36 . A computer program comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein, the computer-executable program code portions comprising program code instructions for:
 causing operation of a user equipment in a uplink synchronized state, wherein updates are received periodically in a on duration period, on duration periods are related to discontinuous reception (DRX) short cycle timer;   receiving instruction to disable uplink transmission during one or more on duration periods related to short cycle timer of DRX; and   causing disablement of uplink transmission in accordance with instruction.   
     
     
         37 . The computer program product according to  claim 36 , wherein the instruction comprises a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to configure a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) where Uplink (UL) is enabled or disabled. 
     
     
         38 . The computer program product according to  claim 36 , wherein the instruction comprises a Medium Access Control (MAC) command comprising information related to an allowance or disallowance of UL communication disablement or reduction. 
     
     
         39 . The computer program product according to  claim 36 , wherein the instruction comprises a trigger command comprising information related to an allowance or disallowance of UL communication disablement or reduction. 
     
     
         40 . The computer program product according to  claim 36 , wherein the instruction comprises causing enabling or disabling of UL communication in a time limited manner. 
     
     
         41 . The computer program product according to  claim 36 , wherein a timer value is configured.